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Performance-enhancing drugs for writers

Every weekday, PR Daily associate editor Alan Pearcy highlights the day’s most compelling stories and amusing marginalia on the Web in this, #TheDailySpin.

My name is Alan, and apparently, I’m a drug addict.

I don’t know if I’m ruining my chances for an overly hyped interview with Oprah, but according to Cracked.com, performance-enhancing drugs are more prevalent in the writing profession than one might suspect. Between the long hours, the demanding deadlines, and the creative strain, sometimes a writer just needs a good pick-me-up.

However, according to a recent comic from artist Grant Snider, the drug ring in the writers’ room extends far beyond the mere cup of coffee or the occasional Red Bull. (via GalleyCat)

Whoever manages social media for the University of Wisconsin could have used a performance-enhancer last week. As BuzzFeed reports, a tweet from the school’s Badger Football handle demonstrated the über importance of the almighty comma:

Of course, the Internet is too packed with great literary content for readers to fret over the grammatical error in a single tweet. In fact, MastersinEnglish.org highlights 100 essential sites for voracious readers to enjoy.

Never letting me down with an interesting new read, Gizmodo reported over the weekend of an emerging trend among journalism schools—including the University of Missouri and the University of Nebraska—that offer courses in “drone reporting,” even though it’s an illegal practice for professionals.

Meanwhile, math questions about killing and whipping slaves were being taught to fourth-graders at an elementary school in Manhattan, a notion that understandably riled many of the students’ parents. CBS recounts details of the story here.

Although they’re rarely math related, brands often stumble into problems they’re forced to answer. Fortunately for Sephora, its problem is one for consumers to face. According to Jezebel, marketers behind the cosmetic and beauty retailer have brilliantly crafted a store and a brand that hooks its female customers like a drug.

For some people, sex can be like a drug. Luckily for residents of the Big Apple, The Huffington Post informs us that some of its city cabs may come equipped with condom vending machines by this summer. Just not in the taxi, please.

Rather than pitching anything hot and steamy, the tourism board for a city in Oregon is going for dull and boring. The Seattle Times reports that legislators in Boring, Ore., are pushing for a partnership with the small foreign town of Dull, Scotland to officially declare Aug. 9 as “Boring and Dull Day.”

Neither boring, nor dull will be the way in which one job candidate’s résumé will be remembered. Try satisfying and chocolaty. Get a load of this applicant’s sweet C.V., which was first shared on Reddit before Business Insider covered it. (I don’t see “coffee” listed as a viable skill anywhere here, Nicholas):

And what would a résumé be without a proper cover letter? Thought Catalog’s Eric Auld shares a few amusing cover letters that he crafted (but I presume, didn’t submit) for actual job openings in the market.

Speaking of fire, that’s what satirical site The Onion has come under after a sending what Fox News refers to as a vulgar tweet about 9-year-old Oscar Best Actress nominee Quvenzhane Wallis. “Everyone else seems afraid to say it, but that Quvenzhané Wallis is kind of a c*nt, right? #Oscars2013,” the tweet read before it was deleted. The Onion has since apologized.

The movie “Twilight” and its cast were also on fire during the annual Razzie Awards. Dishonoring the worst in film each year as a prelude to the Oscars, Vulture reports that “Twilight: Breaking Dawn—Part 2” took home seven spray-painted raspberry statuettes, including Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actor (Taylor Lautner), and Worst Actress (Kristen Stewart).

That calls for a toast. If only I knew that what we were cheers-ing was actual Champagne, or “Champagne.” (Who am I kidding? I drink André.) For those in the industry, however, the distinction is one that French and American brands have feuded over for years. Adweek looks at the most recent blow in the battle.

Is there something you think we should include in our next edition of #TheDailySpin? Tweet me @iquotesometimes with your suggestions. Thanks in advance.